A 39-year-old Perth man has been charged and detained after allegedly posting a message on social media expressing support for the deadly mass shooting at a Jewish festival on Bondi Beach. The incident, which claimed 15 lives on December 14, has shocked Australia and prompted authorities to act swiftly against expressions of hate and violence online.
Western Australia Police confirmed that detectives raided the man’s home on Tuesday, December 23, uncovering six licensed firearms, approximately 4,000 rounds of unsecured ammunition, and antisemitic material. The raid, police said, was part of an ongoing investigation into online threats and the potential for racially motivated violence.
The suspect, named by local media as Martin Thomas Glynn, appeared in Fremantle Magistrates Court on Wednesday, where he faced multiple charges. These include intent to racially harass, carrying or possessing a prohibited weapon, and failing to properly store firearms or related materials. Glynn was remanded in custody ahead of his next court hearing, scheduled for February.
Court proceedings revealed that Glynn had allegedly expressed “100 per cent support” for the Bondi Beach mass shooting in a social media post. According to reports, he told the court that he did not intend to harm anyone and claimed he was attempting to draw attention to the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza, contrasting them with the Bondi attack.
Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch emphasized that Glynn is not believed to be part of any organized network. “We think this is an individual who has made these comments online, and we are still yet to assess the threat of that individual,” he told reporters. The statement highlighted that while the suspect’s social media activity was alarming, authorities were treating him as a solitary actor rather than a member of a broader extremist group.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was briefed on the arrest and spoke out against antisemitism and violent ideologies. “There is no place in Australia for antisemitism, hate and violent ideologies,” he said in a statement. “I thank the work of the WA Police in quickly identifying this individual and acting immediately.”
The case has sparked discussions about the role of social media in promoting extremism and the responsibilities of online platforms to monitor and remove content that incites hatred. While authorities have acted quickly to arrest Glynn, experts warn that social media remains a fertile ground for radicalization, where individuals can easily share extremist views and find like-minded communities.
The Bondi Beach attack, which targeted attendees at a Jewish festival, has already raised concerns about rising antisemitism in Australia. The attack, which left 15 people dead, has prompted increased security at Jewish events nationwide and renewed calls for stronger measures to combat hate speech and violent ideologies.
Legal experts note that charges such as “intent to racially harass” are rarely invoked, signaling the seriousness with which authorities are treating online expressions of support for acts of mass violence. The possession of a large quantity of firearms and ammunition also adds weight to the potential risk posed by Glynn, even if he claims he had no immediate intent to use them.
The WA Police continue to investigate the full scope of Glynn’s activities, including his online posts and the materials seized from his home. While the commissioner has stressed that Glynn appears to be acting alone, authorities remain cautious, noting that individuals who express extremist views online can pose unpredictable threats.
As the investigation unfolds, the arrest serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance against hate-driven ideologies and the potential consequences of online radicalization. The swift action by police has been praised by both government officials and community leaders, underscoring the commitment to protecting communities from antisemitism and racially motivated threats.
